Starting college is one of the biggest transitions you’ll ever go through, and if you’re heading to a campus, you’re about to join an exciting campus culture. Football Saturdays, tight-knit communities and new experiences all shape the college experience here in ways that are worth leaning into.
Freshman year sets the tone for the rest of your college career, so make it count.
1. Get involved in student organizations early
If you take away only one piece of advice from this post, let it be this: join student organizations early.
College campuses are known for the sheer number and variety of student orgs — from Greek life and club sports to cultural associations, professional societies, service organizations and niche interest clubs (ultimate frisbee, debate, a cappella, entrepreneurship clubs, you name it). Most schools host a club fair in the first few weeks of the semester. Stop by to see what’s available on your campus.
- It’s the fastest way to make real friends. Sitting next to someone in a large lecture hall doesn’t build friendships the way showing up to a weekly club meeting does. Shared interests create natural, repeated interaction — the actual foundation of lasting relationships.
- It gives you a support system beyond your residence hall. Having a group you belong to — whether it’s a club, an intramural team or a student ministry — gives you people to turn to when things get hard.
- It builds your resume before you even need one. Employers and grad schools want to see that you have a life, not just a GPA. Freshman year is the perfect time to join as a general member. Then you’ll be ready to run for an officer position later, adding a little oomph to your resume.
- It makes a big campus feel smaller. Some universities have enrollments in the tens of thousands. Student orgs shrink that scale down into something manageable and personal.
Try three or four organizations in your first semester, see which ones you actually look forward to attending. Then, narrow your focus. Overcommitting to too many clubs is a fast track to burnout. The goal is depth in a couple of communities, not a long list of memberships you never show up for.
2. Build relationships with professors early
Professors and advisors are available on your campus. Take advantage of their support. Go to office hours in the first month, even if you don’t have a pressing question. Professors write recommendation letters, connect students to research and internships and remember the students who showed up early and consistently. Those relationships make a difference in the long run.
3. Build realistic habits
The habits you build in your first semester tend to stick. We’re talking how you study, how you manage your time and whether you go to class, among other things. Use your school’s tutoring and writing center. They’re there to help you navigate going from high school to college. Use them.
4. Embrace campus traditions and culture
Whether it’s football tailgates, homecoming, a bonfire or a decades-old campus tradition unique to your school, these events are more than just fun. They help you build a sense of belonging and connection to something bigger.
5. Explore the region, not just the campus
Weekend trips to a nearby city, a hike in the mountains or a beach trip during a long weekend can be a great study break. It’s an easy way to bond with new friends outside the structure of campus life. Plus, travelling with friends makes it easier to split the bill. Did someone say “camping”?
6. Learn to manage your money and your time
This is likely the first time you’re managing your own schedule and budget. Set up a simple system early. Find a planner, a budgeting app, or whatever works for you, so you can capitalize on your free time and make the most of your dollars. Most campuses also have strong career centers. Visit as a freshman to understand what internships, student worker positions or co-ops look like in your field.
7. Take care of your mental and physical health
The freedom of college life can make it easy to neglect sleep, exercise and mental health. It’s an exciting time, so we don’t blame you. Most campuses have recreation centers, intramural sports and free counseling services available for little to no cost. We recommend using these proactively to set healthy routines.
Freshman year is prime time to start building the foundation of community, habits and identity that will carry you through the rest of college and beyond. Start with getting involved. Everything else tends to follow from there.
If you’re looking for a degree that can offer lots of career opportunities, start at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. Let’s see where business will take you.
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